“A shame”: Locals push for more action to be taken to protect the White Dog Hotel's future

One of the first major buildings developed in the old Lilydale township was the Lilydale Hotel.

Also known as the White Dog Hotel, or Duke’s Saloon, the hotel’s doors have now been closed for more than 20 years.

With its heritage-protected facade now showcasing cracks, broken windows and graffiti, locals have said it is time to push for action.

Recently, Yarra Ranges Council issued a building notice after decay to the external verandah posts, directing the owner to repair the posts in a timely manner.

Is now the time for the building’s future to be secured?

The history

Situated at 292 Main Street, the story of the hotel begins in 1860, when James Balchin bought the block of land for only £9 on May 31, 1860.

A two-storey late Victorian-era hotel, it was then bought by the Connerly family in the 1920s, gaining its unique new name – The White Dog – from the owner’s dog, Duke, a white Staffordshire bull terrier.

The next major family in the pub’s history took over in 1961, with Cyril and May Bramich taking over the establishment until Cyril died in September 1972.

Cyril and May’s son Fred took over the operations until health concerns forced him to stop in 1994.

Ron Ward then bought the business in 2000, not long before closing the doors in 2002.

According to the Lilydale Major Activity Centre Urban Improvement Project plans released in July 2008, Yarra Ranges Council then began negotiations with Ward to formalise pedestrian access through the site, connecting Main Street to Hardy Street.

The push for a new facelift

Yarra Ranges local Rob Hall told the Eastern Melburnian he was having a coffee over the road in 2013 when he looked at the hotel and wondered why it was closed, with no hopes for redevelopment on the horizon.

“All I did was ask in the local Yarra Ranges Noticeboard on Facebook what was happening and the post literally blew up,” he said.

Not long after, he took it upon himself to create the Friends of the The White Dog (Dukes Saloon) Facebook group, which has since attracted more than 1,700 members.

While the facade is under the council’s heritage overlay, Hall said the verandah’s current status was unsafe.

“It’s just a matter of time before that front comes down,” he told the Eastern Melburnian.

“What’s the point of the local heritage listing if it doesn’t do anything?

“You might not see bulldozers out the front, but time’s doing the same work, just slower.”

Hall said beyond being revitalised back into a hotel, he would love to see it become a refuge for those fleeing from domestic violence or an art gallery celebrating local talent.

“It’s such a shame just to let the building rot and die by neglect,” he said.

“It could be the jewel of the Yarra Ranges.

“I’ve had so many people over the years who want to dedicate their time.”

Hall said he was keen to continue to advocate on behalf of the community, more than 10 years after first creating the group.

“If I had no hope, I wouldn’t be doing this.”

“I’m persistent to a fault.”

What is the council’s stance?

Yarra Ranges Council director of Planning, Design & Development, Kath McClusky said the council was in support of the community’s desire to see the building revitalised for the whole community to use.

“The White Dog Hotel is one of Lilydale’s oldest buildings, holding significant heritage value,” she told the Eastern Melburnian.

“As this is a privately owned building, council has reached out to the landowner on numerous occasions to discuss the future reinvigoration of this historic site and will continue to do so.”

However, McClusky said the council had limited abilities in seeking action from the owner.

“Looking ahead, the future of this cherished building, subject to the landowner's wishes, could see it accommodating a variety of uses,” she said.

“Council is eager to see the building and site restored in a manner that ensures it will be well-utilised by the community.

“The owners of heritage buildings can use and develop their property as they wish provided all necessary planning and other approvals are obtained.

“Council has no ability to require the owner to restore the building, however we continue to monitor and act where we can.”

The owner of the White Dog Hotel has not yet responded to the EM’s multiple requests for comment.